County sticks with manager, attorney

The Grant County Commission renewed their contracts with County Manager Charlene Webb and County Attorney Abigail Robinson at their regular meeting Thursday. The two high-level county employees will continue on at their same salaries.

Webb took over as county manager in 2014, following the tenure of Jon Saari. Since then, she has guided staff through the implementation of three large-scale projects made possible through the commission’s 2016 implementation of a three-eighths of a percent increase in gross receipts taxes. The tax increase was allowed by the Legislature as part of the deal to begin the phaseout of Hold Harmless repayments from the state of New Mexico — a move which primarily impacted municipalities.

Those three projects include the Tu Casa substance abuse treatment program, under construction now, the completed Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center and upgrades to the Grant County Courthouse. But as manager, her job has also covered everything from day-to-day operations to the selection of Boutique Air as the area’s Essential Air Service provider at the Grant County Airport.

Earlier this year, Webb admittedly and publicly bumped heads with the county’s non-commissioner elected officials — including the clerk and assessor — over what they felt was inadequate pay for the county employees under their direction. One of Webb’s moves that drew ire was the hire of an administrative assistant in the last year for $33,540. The commission publicly defended Webb when that was brought up in meetings, saying that position was always meant to be filled, but that those duties had been shifted to Robinson instead for some time.

Webb worked as Roosevelt County manager before returning to her native Grant County. Her salary had risen to $106,750 plus benefits and expenses by 2016, and that rate will continue under the new contract.

“They didn’t ask for a raise,” said District 1 Commissioner Gabe Ramos. “They know what kind of finances we’re working with.”

As county attorney, Robinson has guided the County Commission and staff through hundreds of contracts, joint powers agreements and ordinance changes, as well as litigation which is handled secretly during closed executive sessions as allowed by the Open Meetings Act.

She also worked as the interim county manager between Saari’s departure and Webb’s arrival.

Under her 2016 contract, her salary was $90,000. She will continue at that salary.

The commission voiced strong support for their manager and attorney at Thursday’s meeting. Commissioner Ramos said that the commission’s support stands despite rumors reported on local radio stations as recently as the day of Thursday’s meeting.

“I know there was stuff put out on the radio just this morning about the county manager’s approval rating being down,” Ramos said. “You have our approval. I know you take a lot of shots for us. That’s your job. Not everybody likes the manager.”

Ramos’ claim of radio rumors led to him also calling local radio stations to attend and cover County Commission meetings in whole, so their listeners hear both sides of issues.

“I would like for us to invite all of the radio stations to come here,” he said. “So many times, people only get one side from the radio. It’s not like the newspapers where they give the two sides, the two appearances.”